I'm having trouble connecting an ipod photo to a Sony VAIO running
windows xp. Loading itunes hangs "waiting for ipod" and then
permanently hangs trying to format ipod (that doesn't need formating
'cos it works on my desktop). Is it a firewall problem with the USB
port or something else?

The problem is likely that the ipod isn't getting power from the VAIO.
You say that you're using USB but this problem is most common with
Firewire, which Sony calls iLink.

If you are using iLink/Firewire to connect your iPod then your best
bet is to use USB instead. You can do this by purchasing an iPod USB
cable. However, as noted below, this isn't a foolproof solution.

If you are using USB then you may be out of luck - the iPod wants
power and your VAIO isn't providing it. One thing to try is to make
sure the iPod's battery is nearly full. This should cause it to use
its own battery for power.

There is the chance that your VAIO only has USB 1 or 1.1 and the iPod
requires USB 2. In this case you may want to try iLink/Firewire
instead, which your VAIO likely has. Your iPod also probably came with
a Firewire cable, unless it is the most recent revision in which case
you'll have to be a Firewire cable seperately.

In response - I'm pretty sure I'm using a USB port. It's the one I put
my mouse into too and that seems to get power so I don't think it can
be that. The iPod is a latest version iPod photo and the manual talks
about USB 2.0. Interestingly I can use my iPod with my home Dell
Dimesion which has an earlier version of USB port - it's just slow. My
VAIO is less than a year old (it's a PCG-Z1XSP). Strangely when I plug
the iPod in there is an audio confirmation that it's spottted some
hardware being installed. I've tried setting the iPod to disk-mode and
the VAIO doesn't see it via Explorer. I'm baffled! I've trawlwd the
web for people with similar problems and the only thread that seems
common is a reference to "Firewall software". I'm being cheeky and
trying to run my iPod on my work laptop so it's equipped with Spyware
and well as the Windows firewall. TOugh to go and ask our IT dept for
help!! Hence the GA approach. Someone must have fixed this
before......